Pin feed attachment for autographic registers



Nov. 7, 1939. F. HAGEMAN 2,179,150

PIN FEED ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed April 8, 1937 3Sheets-Sheet 2 0 I z louwj uy r em n Nov. 7, 1939, 1.. F. HAGEMAN PINFEED ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed April 8, 1 957 3Sheets-Sheet 3 17 192711301 Louis jfi emavp Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE PIN FEED ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTERSApplication April 8, 1937, Serial No. 135,731

10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism for feedingstrips of sheet material such as record strips of paper used forrecording inscriptions, and with reference to some of its more specificfeatures the invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism ofthe type employing pins engaging with apertures formed in the strips andadapted and arranged for feeding record strips in writing machines ofthe autographic register type.

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved stripfeeding mechanism for machines of the class mentioned, being speciallyconstructed and particularly related to the writing platen and otherelements of the machine so as to feed the strips accurately and tomaintain them in accurate alignment with each other and with the platen,while at the same time avoiding mutilation or other injury to thestrips.

A further object of the invention is .to provide an improved mountingand arrangement of a strip feeding mechanism in machines of the classmentioned, and of the type utilizing feeding pins mounted on a drivenendless flexible band or, chain with the strip engaging feedtransmitting shafts of the feed pins positioned below or in the vicinityof the pitch line of the endless band or chain, whereby the pins willenter and leave the strip apertures without mutilation of the aper- 0ture margins, thus enhancing the accuracy of the strip feed andeffecting more accurate alignment thereof.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedmounting for the flexible 5 strip feeding band or chain, so that thepitch line of the latter is definitely related to and positioned abovethe plane of the upper surface of the writing platen, thus furtherfacilitating the cooperation of the pins with the strip feed aperturesand the entry of said pins into said apertures and their emergencetheref om.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting fora flexible strip feeding band or chain, so that a single feeding unit ofthis type definitely positioned with reference to the platen and at onemargin of the strip, is all that is ordinarily required to effectaccurate feeding and alignment of the strips. In this manner thenecessity formounting the strip feeding elements at parts spacedlaterally of the strips,

is avoided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved mountingand arrangement in machines of the class mentioned for the flexible pinfeed unit so that one or more of the fed strips emerging therefrom willbe effectively disposed and filed within a strip or filing compartmentconveniently arranged in the machine.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in thesubjoined detailed description 5 of. an illustrative but preferredembodiment of the invention, and will be in part obvious in connectiontherewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the nature, objects andadvantages of the invention, reference is had to the following detaileddescription of the illustrative preferred embodiment, and to theaccompanying drawings in which: 20

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a writing machine of the autographicregister type embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on the line2-2 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section substantially on the line 3-3of Fig. 1 looking in the directicn of the arrows, parts of the stripfeeding mechanism. being shown in elevation; 30

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional elevation similar tothat of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail enlarged section taken substantially on the line 55of Fig.- 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional elevationsubstantially on the/line 6-6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the strip guiding and retainingmeans; 40

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing diagrammatically the courseof the strips in the machine;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of a modified form ofrecord strip, assembly;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of an autographic register embodyinga modification of the invention; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to that of Fig. 2 andtaken substantially on the line lll l of Fig. 10, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings for a detailed description of the illustrativeembodiment of the invention, a writing machine I of the autographicaperture engaging feed pins l3. In this register type has a flat platen2 over which the paper record strips 3 are fed a predetermined distance,such as a distance equal to the form length of the record strips, foreach cycle of operation of the strip feeding mechanism.

As shown, the record strips are fed from a supply such as a zig-zagfolded record pack located in an appropriate storage compartment withinthe casing of the register. The record strips pass from the supply packover guiding bars 4 to the platen 2, being interleaved in manifoldingtransfer relation with transfer or carbon strips 5 emerging from supplyrolls housed and supported in containers 6 appropriately mounted uponthe register. Three record strips and two interleaved carbon strips areshown but the number may be varied as desired. The assembly of recordand transfer strips passes over the platen 2 whereat any desiredinscriptions may be entered in the usual manner. The two upper recordstrips after receiving the inscriptions pass under a guiding and tearingbar I and onto the upper plate of the machine at the forward endthereof. The forwardly fed portions of the record strips may then besevered along the forward edge of the tearing bar I, and to facilitatesuch tearing the strips are ordinarily provided with transverse weakenedseverance lines 3' positioned between the form lengths or blank formsthereof. The lowermost record strip, or more than one if desired, uponemerging from the feeding mechacover plate of the machine and thenceinto a flling compartment or housing 8 appropriately located within themachine casing.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings the feeding mechanism, for thestrips is positioned intermediate the ends of the register and forwardlyof the platen so as to draw or pull the strips into writing positionupon the platen. This feeding mechanism has an operating handle 9arranged to contact with a depressible stop lug or pin 10 to limitmovement of the operating handle to a single operating cycle which inthe embodiment shown is one complete revolution of the handle. Thestrips are thus advanced a single form length at one operative feedcycle. The mounting for the stop lug I0 is shown as being provided witha spiral compression spring II "for urging the lug into its normaloperative position. In order to prevent movement of the feedingmechanism a pawl and ratchet mechanism (not shown) may be utilized as iscustomary in machines of this type. 7

As shown the feeding mechanism embodies an endless flexible feed bandsupporting the strip embodiment the feed band is in the form of a chainhaving links l2 arranged in a continuous series and pivotally connectedto each other in end to end relation. The feed pins l3 are arranged toengage in strip feeding relation with the strip apertures M which arelongitudinally spaced and arranged in a longitudinal series at one orboth of the opposite longitudinal margins of the strip assembly.

Rotary sprocket wheels [5 support and drive the flexible feed chain,being mounted upon rotary shafts I6 appropriately mounted in ballbearings I! located in recesses in supporting members i8. Each sprocketwheel l5 has laterally spaced sections arranged in reverse relation andeach is secured to a supporting sleeve is fixed by means of set screws20 to the shaft l6.

Each of the feed pins I3 is supported upon its supporting link l2 bymeans of a bracket 2| extending laterally from the link at the innerside of the latter. Each supporting bracket 2| may form an integral partof its supporting link, being bent from the plate forming the link, orsaid bracket may be otherwise appropriately attached to the link. Thepivotal connecting pins 22 for the links engage the side plates of saidlinks and are arranged to contact and rest upon the spaced sections ofthe sprocket wheels. The rotary shafts l6 are appropriately mounted inbearings in the opposite side Wall members 23 of the register casing.

A supporting plate 26 is interposed between the sprockets I5 so as toengage with and support the reach of the flexible chain intermediate thesprocket wheels, being positioned as shown to directly engage andsupport the pin supporting brackets 2 I. This supporting plate has anextension 24 whereby it is attached by means 25 to the supportingmembers l8 and 23. The plate 26 functions as a support and guide for thefeed chain, directing the chain and the feed pins thereof in asubstantially straight path at the parts of said chain which areactively functioning to efiect strip feed. As shown in Fig. 4 aplurality of'pins at this part of the chain are simultaneously engagedin active feeding relation with the strip apertures.

As clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the pin supporting brackets 2! arepositioned within the pitch line of the flexible feed chain, that is,within the line of centers of the pivotal connections 22 of the chainlinks l2. It will be noted, furthermore, that each feed pin l3 risesabove its supporting bracket and that the strip engaging strip feedingpart or shaft of the pin rises above the supporting bracket, extendingoutwardly therefrom toward the pitch line. Also as shown, the tips orouter ends of the pins may, if desired, extendsomewhat beyond said pitchline. It is also observed that the strip engaging feed transmittingshafts of the pins l3, located at the active feeding reach of the chainabove the supporting plate 26, are positioned outside of, or above thelevel of the upper strip supporting surface of the platen 2. the linksof the chain has been referred to as the pitch line but in order todefine the positioning of the feed pins it may be more convenient torefer to the pitch surface or pitch plane, which may be defined as theplane or surface passing through these pivotal connections and definedthereby. The expression line of connection as herein employed is to beunderstood as comprehending the The line of the connections betweenpitch surface or pitch plane when the relative.

positioning of the feed pins I3 is referred to.

Driving connections for the flexible feed chain include an operatingshaft 21 to which the operating handle. 9 is connected. Also a geartrain 27' operatively connects the driving shaft 21 with the forwardlydisposed shaft l6.

As best shown in Figs. 5 and 7, a guiding and retaining means isprovided for the record strips, embodying a swinging plate 28 pivoted bya pin 29 at its outer extremity to a support 30 attached as at 38 to themachine. This swinging plate or arm 28 has attached to its swingingextremity an inwardly disposed guide plate or foot 3! provided with alongitudinal slot 32 for receiving the rounded tips of the feed pins.This guiding plate is positioned directly at the reach of the feed chainwhich actively cooperates in feeding relation with the strips. A springor spring plate 33 -ment 34, extending upwardly and outwardly from itsattachment into engagement with a pin or roller 35 attached to thesupport 30. spring 33 is thus tensioned to press the guiding plate 3|into yielding engagement with the record strips at the point ofengagement therewith by the feed pins. In this manner the strips areyieldingly held in position and guided during the time that the feedingeffort is being transmitted thereto. An adjustng screw 36 is mounted inthe swinging arm 28 and cooperates with a support 31 whereby .theposition of the guiding plate 3| may be conveniently adjusted. Theguiding plate can conveniently be swung upwardly away from its guidingposition to facilitate threading and adjustment of the'record stripswith reference to the feeding unit.

Due to the positioning of the feed pins IS with reference to the pitchline of the flexible chain as above described, it will be noted that theentry of the pins into the strip apertures and the emergence therefromare much facilitated. This is for the reason that the pins at the momentof entering or leaving the apertures are moving at the same speed asthat of the feeding strips, and the entering and emerging, parts of thepins are accurately aligned with the respective apertures. Also thelongitudinal spacing of the parts of the pins which engage the aperturesat the moment of entering or leaving the same is substantially the sameas the aperture spacing. Consequently there is no undue pressure of thepins against the walls of the apertures and no resultant mutilation ofthe aperture walls, thus resulting in freer entry and exit of the pinsand more accurate feeding alignment and positioning of the recordstrips. Also it will be noted that the positioning of the feed pins withreference to the platen 2 during active feeding operation by said pinsresults in more satisfactory strip feeding and alignment. By virtue ofthis improved arrangement it is commercially practical in machines ofthe character set forth to keep the strips in correct position andalignment on the flat platen by a single feeding mechanism positioned toengage the strips only at one longitudinal marginal portion thereof.Thus the structure is greatly simplified and it is necessary to haverecord strips with feed apertures only at one longitudinal marginthereof. When strips are attached together in a. unitary assembly asdisclosed in connection with Fig. 9, the accuracy of feeding theassembly is assured and its correct position with reference to theplaten is constantly maintained while, at the same time, the severalassembly strips are at all times kept accurately aligned with referenceto each other. Furthermore, this arrangement and positioning of' thefeed pins results in more satisfactory and accurate filing of the filestrip in the filingcompartment of the machine. One reason for this isthat the pins disengage freely and smoothly from the strip apertures atthe moment of emergence of the file strip from the feeding mechanism,and the entry thereof into the filing compartment. When the file stripas shown in Fig. 3 is projected forwardly under the impulse of thefeeding mechanism, said strip enters through the receiving slot in thetop plate, the forward edge of which functions as a guide to direct themoving strip into its folded filing position within the compartment.This strip as Well as the others is ordinarily creased along transverselines by virtue of the folds caused by folding the strips into thezig-zag folded supply pack The as shown in Fig. 8. These transverselines may also be scored 'or perforated on the fold lines. This creasingor scoring of the strips weakens the resistance to folding action of thefile strip as it is urged into its final position. Due to the fact thatthe feed pins emerge from the feed apertures of the file strip freelyand with very little if any frictional resistance against the margins ofthe feed apertures, there is substantially no tendency for the strip tocling to the pins and thus to be deflected away from the path itnaturally assumes under feeding impulse when being i moved into foldedcondition.

In the record assembly shown in Fig. 9, long continuous record strips 3are interleaved in transfer relation with one or more continuous carbonstrips 5 and the strips 6f the assembly thus arranged are connectedtogether at form length intervals by securing staples 29 extendingthrough the strips, and preferably located as shown directlyon thetransverse weakened severance lines 6G.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, a modified embodiment of the invention isdisclosed wherein a cover plate M is provided for the register, beinghinged at 42 to the upper extremity of the longitudinal side walls ofthe register casing so as to be capable of swinging upwardly from itsnormal operative position in which it is shown. The platen 2a isconstructed and arranged similarly to platen 2 above described, andunderlies the cover 4|. In this embodiment the endless flexible feedbandis arranged and mounted as in the embodiment described above, andsimilarly includes links I25; and feed pins l3a carried by the links.The arrangement and mounting of this flexible feed band may be in allrespects similar to the above detailed disclosure and accordingly it isshown partially diagrammatic in Fig. 11.

Adjacent to the feeding element the cover 4| is provided with a housing43 which receives and houses the elements of the feeding mechanism. Thishousing may, as shown, be formed by upwardly deflecting parts of thecover plate. At the inside of the cover within the housing 43 is alongitudinal strip guide it positioned adjacent to the feed pins I311and welded or otherwise attached to the plate. The feed pins thus run inthe longitudinal channel between the strip guide 44 and the adjacentlongitudinal wall of the housing.

With the structure as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the strips being fedpass over the upper surface of the plate 20. and beneath the cover plate4|. The under surface of the cover plate'adjacent to the feed pins andthe lower face of the guide 44 thus cooperate with the upper surfaces ofthe strips to guide the latter and to'position and maintain them incorrect relation with reference to the feed pins during the feedingoperation. Therefore this improved structure for guiding and positioningthe strips takes the place of the strip guide above particularlydescribed in connection with Figs. 5 and 7. The top of the register isthus smooth and free from projections which might -in some instances beobjectionable.

Since certain changes may be -made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description, or shown in the accompanyingdrawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense;

I-Iavingdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having acurved part and a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed andmerging with said curved part, and a succession of feed pins mounted onsaid carrier band and adapted to engage and feed the strips, the stripengaging feed transmitting sections of said pins being disposed in aplane inside that of the line of connection of said carrier sections,and the strip supporting face of said. flat platen being disposed in aplane inside that of said line of connection.

2. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having acurved part and a. strip feed part lying along the path of strip feedand merging with said curved part, and a succession of feed pins mountedon said, carrier band and adapted to engage and feed the strips, thestrip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pins being disposedsubstantially in the line of connection of said carrier sections, theattachments of the pins to the carrier band being disposed within saidline of connection and substantially in the plane of said platen, andthe strip supporting face of said flat platen being .disposed in a planeinside that of said line of connection.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding an endless chain of plvotally connected links, and an endlesssuccession of feed' pins mounted on said chain and adapted to enterpreformed marginal perforations of the strip and feed the strip, theinner terminals of the feed transmitting strip engaging sections of saidpins being disposed inside the line of centers of said links and beingsubstantially flush with the strip supporting face of said flat platen,said chain being movable in a path such that the line of centers of saidlinks will travel above the level of the strip supporting face of theplaten.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having acurved part and a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed andmerging with said curved part, and a succession of feed pins mounted onsaid carrier band and spaced inwardly from said connected sectionstoward said platen and adapted to engage and feed the strips, and thestrip supporting face of said flat platen being disposed in a planeinside that of the line of connection of said connected "sections.

of the strip being fed and on which the feed pins are respectivelysupported, strip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pins beingdisposed in a plane inside that of the line of connection of saidcarrier sections, and the strip supporting face of said flat platenbeing disposed in a plane inside that of said line of connection, astrip guide positioned in opposing relation to said pin supportingbrackets for cooperative guiding engagement with the strips adjacent tothe strip feed part of said carrier band, and means, for

. mounting said guide for movement away from strip guiding position intostrip adjusting position..

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having acurved part and a strip feed part lying along the path of strip feed andof feed pins mounted on said carrier band and adapted to engage and feedthe strips, the strip engaging feed transmitting sections of said pinsbeing disposed in a plane inside that of the line of connection of saidcarrier sections, said pins being positioned with reference to the strippath so as to enter into strip feeding engagement during movementthereof from said curved part of the flexible carrier to the said feedpart thereof, and the strip supporting face' of said fiat platen beingdisposed in a plane inside that of said line of connection of theflexible carrier, the strip feeding mechanism being positioned ing fed,the opposite longitudinal margin being merging with said curved part,and a succession free from feeding engagement with any feedingmechanism.

7. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having astrip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to alongitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside of the stripsupporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mountedon said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof and inwardlytoward said platen into position immediately beneath the strip path, asuccession of feed pins respectively mounted on said brackets andextending into the strip path so as to engage and feed the strips, amovably mounted cover overlying said platen and carrier band, andlongitudinal strip guides on said cover positioned at opposite sides ofthe course of said pins adjacent to the latter, said cover beingprovided with a housing in which said carrier band is received andhoused.

8. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adaptedto support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexiblecarrier band hazing connected sections and having astrip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to'alongitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside" of: the stripsupporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mountedon said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof and inwardlytoward said platen into posit'on immediately beneath the strip path, asuccession of feed pins respectively mounted on said braekets andextending into the strip path so'as to engage and feed the strips, amovably mounted cover overlying said platen and carrier band,

and having a housing for the latter oflset from the plane of the cover-,said housing having a longitudinal wall adjacent the course. of saidfeed pins, and a, longitudinal strip guide'on said cover and positionedat the opposite side of said sections and having a strip feed part lyingalong the path of strip feed adjacent to the longitudinal edge of saidplaten but laterally outside of the strip supporting part thereof, asuccession of pin supporting brackets mounted on said flexible carrierand extending transversely thereof inwardly toward said platen intoposition immediately beneath the strip path, and a succession of feedpins respectively mounted on said brackets and extending into the strippath into feeding engagement with the strips.

10. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a flatplaten adapted to support strips being fed, strip feeding mechanismincluding a flexible carrier band having connected sections and having astrip feed part lying along the path of strip feed adjacent to thelongitudinal edge of said platen but laterally outside of the stripsupporting part thereof, a succession of pin supporting brackets mountedon said flexible carrier and extending transversely thereof inwardlytoward said platen into position immediately beneath the strip path, asuccession of feed pins respectively mounted on said brackets andextending into the strip path into feeding engagement with the strips,and a supportin plate secured to the machine and extending beneath saidfeed part of said carrier band into proximity to said platen and forminga guide and support for said pin supporting brackets.

LOUIS F. HAGEMAN.

